After a very short stint in the playoffs and a strange offseason, hockey season is finally right around the corner. If you haven\u2019t memorized the schedule yet, here\u2019s a guide to some of the must-watch games of the 2021-22 St. Louis Blues season.<\/p>\n
To start off the 2021-22 St. Louis Blues season is a first-round rematch with the Colorado Avalanche<\/a>. The Blues were swept and completely outplayed by the Avalanche, but a lot has changed since then. For starters, the Blues picked up former Avalanche winger Brandon Saad<\/a><\/strong>, and he\u2019ll make his return to Colorado. The Avalanche also lost their starting goaltender Philipp Grubauer<\/a><\/strong>, who played a huge part in the series sweep against the Blues, to the Seattle Kraken in free agency.<\/p>\n The Blues face the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> right after Thanksgiving. Getting to play the defending Cup champion is always a fun challenge, but there are two fan favorites who will make it even better this time. Fresh off three Stanley Cups in a row, St. Louisian Pat Maroon<\/a><\/strong> makes a trip back home to the city he helped win both their and his first Stanley Cup. This time, new Lightning backup goalie and former Blue Brian Elliott<\/a><\/strong> will join him.<\/p>\n The Blues play in their second Winter Classic, this time against the Minnesota Wild<\/a> at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, in Minneapolis. It will be a little different than the last time the Blues played in the Winter Classic \u2014 in 2017 at storied Busch Stadium against their rival Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>. But the childhood excitement that comes with an outdoor game, more fans and new jerseys is sure to be in full force.<\/p>\n The Blues face the Seattle Kraken for the first time in franchise history at home. If that\u2019s not enough excitement, Jaden Schwartz<\/a><\/strong> and Vince Dunn<\/a><\/strong> will both be coming back to the place their careers started for the first time since they departed in the offseason. Dunn was selected by the Kraken in the expansion draft and Schwartz signed as a free agent. They both played parts in helping the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019, but Schwartz was a fan favourite in his 10 seasons wearing the Blue Note. It\u2019s sure to be an emotional night.<\/p>\n If you only take a brief glance at the schedule, you may be confused why a random matchup with the Nashville Predators<\/a> is a must-watch game. But, the Blues will be retiring Chris Pronger<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s number before the game. Pronger is unquestionably one of the best defencemen in franchise history. He played for the Blues from 1995-2004. In 598 regular-season games, he scored 84 goals and added 272 assists for 356 points. He won the Norris and the Hart trophies as a member of the Blues in 1999-00. He\u2019s also a four-time All-Star, one-time Stanley Cup champion and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.<\/p>\n The Blues travel to Madison Square Garden for the first time since trading for Pavel Buchnevich<\/a><\/strong> in the offseason. The New York Rangers<\/a> got forward Sammy Blais<\/a><\/strong> back in the deal. Both will play their former teams for the first time. Someone else is sure to add to the excitement \u2014 former Blue Ryan Reaves<\/a><\/strong> was traded to the Rangers during the offseason. He will more than likely be his usual self against the Blues.<\/p>\n Main Photo:<\/p>\nTuesday, November 30, 2021<\/h2>\n
Saturday, January 1, 2022<\/h2>\n
Thursday, January 13, 2022<\/h2>\n
Monday, January 17, 2022<\/h2>\n
Wednesday, March 2, 2022<\/h2>\n